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Old 10-03-2011, 10:36 PM
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I wish I'd known what a fantastic compact .45 ACP pistol the Chief's Special CS-45 model is a long time ago. Could have saved a lot of wasted paycheck spent on several other small big bore autos.(SIG, Kahr & Springfield) This one sat in the LGS case for a couple of months before I liberated it with my hard earned cash. Has some carry wear, but very little firing wear. First trip to the range was fantastic. Very easy to control and it is also the only TDA pistol I've shot which I print the first DA round in the same cluster with the SA shots every time. Glad I got one, as they seem pretty hard to find these days.
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Old 10-03-2011, 11:18 PM
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Congrats on the gun. I have the 9 and the 45. You may want to check out Big Dog grips for it.
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Old 10-04-2011, 02:39 AM
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The only thing I knew about the CS45 when I stumbled across one in a display case a few years ago was that I loved the way it looked and felt. Since then I have come to believe that it is one of the best "compact" pistols ever. Incredibly accurate for its size with very little felt recoil, as reliable as the rest of the 3rd generation family, beautiful design and, oh yeah; it's a 45! Last time at the range I felt like shooting at any target less than 30' away was cheating and of course it got lots of attention from other shooters. Every once in a while I get the urge to look for a CS9 or 40 but to tell you the truth I just don't think that they could be any better than that beloved little brick!

Oh, I REALLY like the feel of the Hogue grips but what do I know?
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Old 10-04-2011, 10:09 AM
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I agree with 27145, check out the Big Dog grips. I have them on my CS45 and it does make a difference. Congratulations on joining the CS Club. Someone will arrive shortly to show you the grip and share the secret word.
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Old 10-04-2011, 01:20 PM
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Nice looking pistol you got there.
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Old 10-04-2011, 02:49 PM
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Congrats! Very nice little 45.

+1 to Big Dog grips. Great folks with a great product. They made me some Hogues for my 4513TSW. I love Big Dog grips! Regards 18DAI.
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Old 10-04-2011, 03:12 PM
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Congrats.

That was one of the real sleepers in their line when it came to commercial sales, but I was always hearing how well they selling to LE (without much in the way of advertising, too).

I also own the CS9 & CS45. I've owned the CS45 longer, having bought it when the stainless model was just being introduced, and I've done a lot more shooting with it than I have with the CS9.

I typically replace the recoil spring about thousand or so rounds. The recommendation for armorers isn't any different for the little CS guns than the bigger 3rd gen guns, last time I went through the class ... being replacement every 5 years or every 5,000 rounds ... but I like to be a bit conservative in my preventive maintenance when it comes to the smaller, faster cycling and harder recoiling guns.

I replaced the plastic sights with various steel sights until I eventually ended up keeping an early set of the Ashley Express Big Dot sights on the gun. Not "perfect", but they work well enough for my needs.

I had my slide modified to accept the spring-loaded, decock-only option a while after I bought it.

I also own an original 4513TSW for which I modified a set of Hogue grip stocks. I've used and fired it a lot, as well, but not as much as I've used the CS45. I suppose the most likely explanation is that it's a bit more difficult to shoot the harder recoiling CS45 well than it is the 4513TSW, so I've focused more on skills development & maintenance with the harder recoiling model ... which has made shooting the 4513TSW's (I also carried an issued for a while) easier, as well. Nice win-win.

As much as I like the CS45, though, I actually like my CS9 better. Go figure. It's probably something about how the CS9's grips fit my hand just a bit better, and how the 9mm has better controllability & recoil management, even though I'm commonly shooting +P and +P+ loads in the CS9 (as issued loads).

Congrats!
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Old 10-04-2011, 09:15 PM
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If I may ask, how big are these say compared to a Kahr. About the only Kahr I am a fan of to some degree is the all steel MK9 even though they are a bit heavy. My first CW was a poly PM40 and it was a stove piping disaster.
The CS looks like a little jewel, do they still make them? Seems like an awesome pocket rocket on 45.
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Old 10-04-2011, 09:24 PM
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As stated above, it's a great 45 auto. BigDog grips made it easier
for me to enjoy. I've noticed no perceptible difference in recoil
between it and a full-size 1911. And, it's always a good thing
sending those big chunks of lead downrange.
Nice looking pistol. TACC1
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Old 10-04-2011, 09:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kinfolk View Post
If I may ask, how big are these say compared to a Kahr. About the only Kahr I am a fan of to some degree is the all steel MK9 even though they are a bit heavy. My first CW was a poly PM40 and it was a stove piping disaster.
The CS looks like a little jewel, do they still make them? Seems like an awesome pocket rocket on 45.
Well, the CS-45 is shorter in slide length than the Kahr CW-45 about the same width and grip dimensions but somewhat heavier. Unfortunately S&W does not make the CS series, Shorty 45 or the 3900 series pistols anymore. We have a 3913 and it too is an awesome, reliable carry piece. They are well worth scouting -out used.
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1911, 3913, commercial, cs45, cs9, hogue, kahr, sig arms, springfield

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